:When I was there in 2008 I travelled on the A1 several times, between Vilnius and Klaipeda, and didn't notice any U-turns taking place. In fact the road was being fitted with crash barriers on the central reservation, which would serve to physically prevent U-turns except at the occasional gaps which are used by the emergency services if there is a pile-up. The road was comparable to British "expressways", which are A-roads that just fall short of motorway standard. I wouldn't be surprised if U-turns were acceptable during Soviet times as I have heard of Ukrainian drivers in Britain being stopped by the Police for doing this on our motorways. During the Soviet era, private car ownership was much less common, and the speed limit was 90 km/h, therefore the risk posed by U-turns would have been far less. Whether or not U-turns are still legal, I strongly recommend that visitors who need to turn round do so at the next junction, and drive defensively in case another vehicle does a U-turn in front of them. [[User:84.93.157.1|84.93.157.1]] 17:08, 11 March 2012 (EDT)

:When I was there in 2008 I travelled on the A1 several times, between Vilnius and Klaipeda, and didn't notice any U-turns taking place. In fact the road was being fitted with crash barriers on the central reservation, which would serve to physically prevent U-turns except at the occasional gaps which are used by the emergency services if there is a pile-up. The road was comparable to British "expressways", which are A-roads that just fall short of motorway standard. I wouldn't be surprised if U-turns were acceptable during Soviet times as I have heard of Ukrainian drivers in Britain being stopped by the Police for doing this on our motorways. During the Soviet era, private car ownership was much less common, and the speed limit was 90 km/h, therefore the risk posed by U-turns would have been far less. Whether or not U-turns are still legal, I strongly recommend that visitors who need to turn round do so at the next junction, and drive defensively in case another vehicle does a U-turn in front of them. [[User:84.93.157.1|84.93.157.1]] 17:08, 11 March 2012 (EDT)

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::The article reads "on highways the u-turn is possible" - i'll probably edit this: there are 2 U-turns left on the A1 (one at the Vilnius administrative boundary, another one near Kaunas administrative boundary, towards Klaipėda). The speed there is slightly limited because of proximity of the cities, locations are quite useful and relevant. In any case, idea that the road signs may be illegal is silly in essence. There may be (and are) illegal roads, not signs. And there are 6 U-turns on the A2, they all have ''additional'' deceleration lanes, and they all are relevant - this is a reason why they were constructed. Not just left, the spots were expediently selected, the deceleration lanes were constructed, the needful signs were built. The speed is limited in all six spots.

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::Previously there were a lot of u-turns and they were the main obstacle to convert those roads to autostradas (with green signs). Now, although several u-turns exist, you practically won't notice them while driving. The importance of those u-turns is not for visitors, it's mostly for local residents who otherwise would be cut off completely and emergency services wouldn't be able to reach them. Try to get there and you'll see. Just don't know how relevant is to describe this? Simple u-turns would be risky, of course, it's quite clear why this discussion was started, there shouldn't be any u-turns on autostrada.

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::So, do date i think all needful improvements were made (last ones in circa 2011). Comparison with Soviet Union (as in previous comment) is in this case ''"technically"'' incorrect: all cars were crappy, the speed was low, and what is much much more important - there were practically almost no vehicles on the roads (in comparison to modern times). It has nothing to do with private car ownership - there were no cars, and those that were available were as crappy as you cannot imagine. High speed was impossible. Presence of u-turns and absence of deceleration lanes was not relevant. I probably will edit the part about the u-turns, all improvements of english language and factual details are more than welcome. --[[User:Local|Local]] ([[User talk:Local|talk]]) 06:11, 19 November 2013 (EST)

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===While the main railway connecting Lithuania and Poland is now crossing a piece of Belarus ?===

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What is this? What does this nonsens means? This connection physically does not exist already more than ten years. If you need a proof try to buy a ticket and see what happens. Or go to the border and see. [[User:Local|Local]]

Thanks for the effort. I didn't complain but tried to draw someone's attention. So no need to complain about my complaints :D . Idea to edit is good but i didn't and won't edit anything as in my opinion all texts must be in proper english, i didn't learn english, i don't speak english and i'm not a native english speaker. Those who are fluent in english - those must care about editing "physically". 6 July 2012 [[User:Local|Local]]

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===Some things about "Eat" and "Drink"===

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Quatation from "Eat": "Some fast food in Lithuania, such as .... Cheburekai (a Russian snack)...". Čeburekai (Chebureki) is not a Russian snack. Here is an accurate description in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiburekki . Of course, it is a Tatar snack. In case it's not clear how Tatars are related with Lithuania, there is another accurate article in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipka_Tatars . Somehow it seems to me that our Tatars are rather depreciated in the western sources, although it could be an interesting complement for the potential visitors. I mean, from the tourist viewpoint. Though that may be because of the recent "antimuslim" obsession in the West. Don't know.

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Quatation from "Drink": "Also, every region has its own home-made speciality of which "Samane" is most famous/notorious and is best avoided". One should understand that there are many ways to make at home a "home-made vodka", and there are many raw materials suitable for the production of such vodka. So this statement about "famous/notorious" and "best avoided" may be somewhat colourful or interesting, but from the practical point of view it is misleading. "Samanė" (i.e. genuine Samanė) is famous and better than Cognac. "Pilstukas" (or fake Samanė and fake Vodka in general) is notorious. If this website is intended to help the western tourists, i to be honest don't see how such colourful but misleading statement like "Samane is most famous/notorious and is best avoided" can help? Civilized drinking of alkohol is normal for all tourists in all countries. In Lithuania, drinking (or "testing") of Samanė may be one of unforgettable (in a positive sense) experiences. On the other hand, drinking of Pilstukas may be the last time when the tourist is dinking alive, so advice to avoid it is wise. It may be useful to provide some needful details and explanations or may be some examples or something. I don't know. Lithuanians do not need any explanations, it's potential visitors who need it. [[User:Local|Local]].7 July 2012 .

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== Stay healthy? ==

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Why is there so much information on Ayurveda, Holistif stuff, Yoga and Reiki when that is not proven to effectively heal anything better than a placebo? Information on real medicine would be more useful.

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:::Information on real medicine IS (and can be added more - just plunge forward and add) on each page of concrete city. Specific information for specific city. On this page the general information is also added (1 sentence and the link) and it's sufficient for general impression and for the information. Ayurveda and holistic stuff is popular, and probably cheaper than in the west, thats why. And its useful, thats why (read more carefully what they offer and you'll get a clue - mostly massages, detoxication, and "beauty" procedures; in certain cases average doctors prescribe certain procedures or exercises in those centres because those procedures are unavailable in local polyclinic, this is a normal practice). Nobody argue that this is not proven, one must be illiterate not to know that. Psychological and psychiatric services are also available, by the way, one can add it. Well, bars and casinos are not healthy either, if someone is so concerned :) . Even just for diversity it makes sense to add it, but if it annoys - one can always delete it, no problem. Actually it could be expanded by adding some more different stuff for diversity and for the general impression about the country, but to delete it would be easier.

Revision as of 11:15, 19 November 2013

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Comments

Gypsies?

This is especially true in the poor neighborhoods with large Gypsy populations.

This statement makes no sense. Roma people make up less than 0,001% of Lithuanian population - one of the smallest figures among European states. There are no neighborhoods (except one village near Vilnius) - be it rich or poor - with noticeable Roma numbers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_people_by_country

Define respectable distance

Far enough to not appear to be an "item". I would suggest about a metre apart. My Lithuanian friend was quite adamant on this. I am gay but he is not, and he said it still didn't make any difference. 62.249.253.222 18:09, 5 August 2008 (EDT)

External research link removed

May be good for data mining. -- Fastestdogever 23:46, 21 March 2007 (EDT)

Tendering large denomination banknotes

I was wondering about the accuracy of this statement: You will draw a lot of attention to yourself if you try to use one of the larger banknotes for a small purchase such as a beer
Isn't it a little exaggerated? Jamboo 05:34, 20 March 2008 (EDT)

It is exaggerated a lot as it is not uncommon both for foreigners and Lithuanians to pay in 100 or 200 notes.

It is accurate in my experience. In a nightclub (in fact the one where men sit at arm's length from each other) I tried paying for a drink with a 200 lt note and the "hostess" showed it to two of the bouncers before proceeding into the back room to get change. This was in late 2007 when the cost of a beer was between 4 and 6 lt, depending on the venue. 62.249.253.222 18:09, 5 August 2008 (EDT)

Because there are many counterfeit banknotes in Lithuania. Especialy 100 lt.

Best/worst education system

Lithuania has one of the best educational systems in the World - that is simply not true. Lithuania's educational system is one of the worst in Europe.
--78.60.47.216 18:15, 2 September 2008 (EDT)

Hmm, are the two characterizations mutually incompatible? --PeterTalk 22:09, 2 September 2008 (EDT)

The regions are a division based on culture and history, not on administrative/political borders; in fact, borders are not even clearly defined. The apskritys, on the other hand, were political subdivisions with clearly defined borders – every city, town or village was part of one apskritis. They have been abolished only recently (in 2009 I think). I'd suggest sticking with the five historical regions. --Stanton 15:55, 15 June 2011 (EDT)

"In general, Lithuania is a safe country. But you should take basic safety measures: "

Haha that's funny, yet somewhat true.

U-turn on highways?

The article reads "on highways the u-turn is possible". Is that really true for autostrados/automagistralės (green signs)? I don't remember seeing it there – and I've recently driven down both autostrados (Klaipėda–Kaunas and Vilnius–Panenežys) in their full length. I do remember seeing some on dual-carriageway greitkeliai (blue signs). On the A1 between Vilnius and Kaunas it seems some have been removed recently (OpenStreetMap shows them, but I didn't see any in reality), this is a greitkelis that is being converted to a full autostrada. --Stanton 12:22, 19 August 2011 (EDT)

When I was there in 2008 I travelled on the A1 several times, between Vilnius and Klaipeda, and didn't notice any U-turns taking place. In fact the road was being fitted with crash barriers on the central reservation, which would serve to physically prevent U-turns except at the occasional gaps which are used by the emergency services if there is a pile-up. The road was comparable to British "expressways", which are A-roads that just fall short of motorway standard. I wouldn't be surprised if U-turns were acceptable during Soviet times as I have heard of Ukrainian drivers in Britain being stopped by the Police for doing this on our motorways. During the Soviet era, private car ownership was much less common, and the speed limit was 90 km/h, therefore the risk posed by U-turns would have been far less. Whether or not U-turns are still legal, I strongly recommend that visitors who need to turn round do so at the next junction, and drive defensively in case another vehicle does a U-turn in front of them. 84.93.157.1 17:08, 11 March 2012 (EDT)

The article reads "on highways the u-turn is possible" - i'll probably edit this: there are 2 U-turns left on the A1 (one at the Vilnius administrative boundary, another one near Kaunas administrative boundary, towards Klaipėda). The speed there is slightly limited because of proximity of the cities, locations are quite useful and relevant. In any case, idea that the road signs may be illegal is silly in essence. There may be (and are) illegal roads, not signs. And there are 6 U-turns on the A2, they all have additional deceleration lanes, and they all are relevant - this is a reason why they were constructed. Not just left, the spots were expediently selected, the deceleration lanes were constructed, the needful signs were built. The speed is limited in all six spots.

Previously there were a lot of u-turns and they were the main obstacle to convert those roads to autostradas (with green signs). Now, although several u-turns exist, you practically won't notice them while driving. The importance of those u-turns is not for visitors, it's mostly for local residents who otherwise would be cut off completely and emergency services wouldn't be able to reach them. Try to get there and you'll see. Just don't know how relevant is to describe this? Simple u-turns would be risky, of course, it's quite clear why this discussion was started, there shouldn't be any u-turns on autostrada.

So, do date i think all needful improvements were made (last ones in circa 2011). Comparison with Soviet Union (as in previous comment) is in this case "technically" incorrect: all cars were crappy, the speed was low, and what is much much more important - there were practically almost no vehicles on the roads (in comparison to modern times). It has nothing to do with private car ownership - there were no cars, and those that were available were as crappy as you cannot imagine. High speed was impossible. Presence of u-turns and absence of deceleration lanes was not relevant. I probably will edit the part about the u-turns, all improvements of english language and factual details are more than welcome. --Local (talk) 06:11, 19 November 2013 (EST)

While the main railway connecting Lithuania and Poland is now crossing a piece of Belarus ?

What is this? What does this nonsens means? This connection physically does not exist already more than ten years. If you need a proof try to buy a ticket and see what happens. Or go to the border and see. Local

If you see inaccurate or obsolete information, don't complain; just plunge forward and edit it! Ikan Kekek 03:20, 2 July 2012 (EDT)

Thanks for the effort. I didn't complain but tried to draw someone's attention. So no need to complain about my complaints :D . Idea to edit is good but i didn't and won't edit anything as in my opinion all texts must be in proper english, i didn't learn english, i don't speak english and i'm not a native english speaker. Those who are fluent in english - those must care about editing "physically". 6 July 2012 Local

Some things about "Eat" and "Drink"

Quatation from "Eat": "Some fast food in Lithuania, such as .... Cheburekai (a Russian snack)...". Čeburekai (Chebureki) is not a Russian snack. Here is an accurate description in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiburekki . Of course, it is a Tatar snack. In case it's not clear how Tatars are related with Lithuania, there is another accurate article in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipka_Tatars . Somehow it seems to me that our Tatars are rather depreciated in the western sources, although it could be an interesting complement for the potential visitors. I mean, from the tourist viewpoint. Though that may be because of the recent "antimuslim" obsession in the West. Don't know.

Quatation from "Drink": "Also, every region has its own home-made speciality of which "Samane" is most famous/notorious and is best avoided". One should understand that there are many ways to make at home a "home-made vodka", and there are many raw materials suitable for the production of such vodka. So this statement about "famous/notorious" and "best avoided" may be somewhat colourful or interesting, but from the practical point of view it is misleading. "Samanė" (i.e. genuine Samanė) is famous and better than Cognac. "Pilstukas" (or fake Samanė and fake Vodka in general) is notorious. If this website is intended to help the western tourists, i to be honest don't see how such colourful but misleading statement like "Samane is most famous/notorious and is best avoided" can help? Civilized drinking of alkohol is normal for all tourists in all countries. In Lithuania, drinking (or "testing") of Samanė may be one of unforgettable (in a positive sense) experiences. On the other hand, drinking of Pilstukas may be the last time when the tourist is dinking alive, so advice to avoid it is wise. It may be useful to provide some needful details and explanations or may be some examples or something. I don't know. Lithuanians do not need any explanations, it's potential visitors who need it. Local.7 July 2012 .

Stay healthy?

Why is there so much information on Ayurveda, Holistif stuff, Yoga and Reiki when that is not proven to effectively heal anything better than a placebo? Information on real medicine would be more useful.

Information on real medicine IS (and can be added more - just plunge forward and add) on each page of concrete city. Specific information for specific city. On this page the general information is also added (1 sentence and the link) and it's sufficient for general impression and for the information. Ayurveda and holistic stuff is popular, and probably cheaper than in the west, thats why. And its useful, thats why (read more carefully what they offer and you'll get a clue - mostly massages, detoxication, and "beauty" procedures; in certain cases average doctors prescribe certain procedures or exercises in those centres because those procedures are unavailable in local polyclinic, this is a normal practice). Nobody argue that this is not proven, one must be illiterate not to know that. Psychological and psychiatric services are also available, by the way, one can add it. Well, bars and casinos are not healthy either, if someone is so concerned :) . Even just for diversity it makes sense to add it, but if it annoys - one can always delete it, no problem. Actually it could be expanded by adding some more different stuff for diversity and for the general impression about the country, but to delete it would be easier.